Avery M.

Age: 13, Hometown: Eugene, Oregon

"I want my government to understand that climate change is real, changes are happening right now, and things aren't going to get better on their own. Climate change should be the government's first priority."

Avery started caring about the Earth when she was 5 years old and learned about the threats to animals near to both her home and heart: salmon in her local creek and snow leopards across the world. She has kept her love for animals alive through caring for her family chickens and in riding horses on a nearby farm. In fifth grade, she was selected to compete in a science fair at the University of Oregon, and her project on the effect of ocean acidification on shellfish won third place. “Trump is not doing anything to help stop climate change,” she says. “He’s a climate change denier, and we’re gonna prove that to the world!”